CD Details

Released: October 20, 1998

Originally Released: 1998

Label: A&M

Entertainment Reviews:

Q - 12/99, p.122

3 Stars (out of 5) - "...this follow-up broadens the playing field to include R&B, hard rock and white soul. The depth and economy of his playing and a voice that sounds as if it's been doused in Wild Turkey and hung out to dry remain the distinguishing factors..."

Tracks:

1.Still Rainin'

2.Second Guessing

3.I Am

4.Breakin' Me

5.Wander This World

6.Walking Away

7.The Levee

8.Angel of Mercy

9.Right Back

10.Leaving to Stay

11.Before You Hit the Ground

12.Cherry Red Wine

Song previews provided courtesy of iTunes

Product Description:

WANDER THIS WORLD is an Enhanced CD, which contains regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

When a wave of blues-playing wunderkids (Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Monster Mike Welch) arrived on the scene in the '90s, 16-year-old Jonny Lang was out alongside them with his debut LIE TO ME. On his follow-up, WANDER THIS WORLD, Lang once again teams up with ex-Prince mate David Z for yet another excellent collection of R&B-tinged blues.

Not yet old enough to drink, Lang has a voice that rings with the tone of an old soul, particularly on the late Luther Allison's "Cherry Red Wine," the album's only cover. Although this teen shreds impressively on songs such as the scorching "Still Rainin'," he shows an affinity for Memphis soul on "Second Guessing" and "Walking Away" and clavinet-driven funk on both "Before You Hit The Ground" and "I Am." When he's not channeling Otis Redding's spirit or rooting around in Prince's musical neighborhood, Lang's impressive range allows him to update the blues without making it sound readymade for a beer commercial. This results in an ominous title track whose main character's restless spirit is juxtaposed with the salvation flowing from "Leaving To Stay," a song wrapped in soulful redemption, countrified piano and a joyful chorus.